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SPECIAL REPORT:THE FUTURE OF MIAMI ARENA
Celebratingits 10th anniversary of managing Miami Arena, Leisure ManagementInternational (LMI) is moving into the future with plans to satisfy thediverse entertainment needs of the South Florida community. The Arena staffis prepared to present a full calendar of family shows, concerts, sportsand community events to offset the departure of the Florida Panthers andthe eventual move of the Miami Heat into its new venue.
Speculation about the future of Miami Arena has run rampant during thepast year, often fueled by uninformed assumptions and false informationin local media. Imaginative rumorists have claimed Miami Arena would bedeveloped into a giant aquarium, bought by Sylvester Stallone for a filmstudio, turned into a giant Miccossukee gaming hall or abandoned.
According to Robert A. Franklin, senior vice president of LMI, his companymarshaled all of its resources, which includes considerable experiencemanaging facilities nationwide, to plan ahead for Miami Arena's future.Franklin said LMI has studied current market conditions for sports andentertainment, its relationships with various promoters and past operatingsuccesses.
Thefinal conclusion, according to Franklin, is a bright future for Miami Arenawith new opportunities to broaden the types of events available to theSouth Florida public.
hoteles baratos Sopot"Miami Arena will continue to operate as it always has, fulfilling itsmain goal to provide quality, diverse entertainment for the people of SouthFlorida," Franklin said.
But, Miami Arena now will be seen in a different light, as it now willcompete with two other facilities.
"Miami Arena will become the 'People's Arena,' the affordable choice,"Franklin said. "While pro-sports patrons pay premium prices to watch millionaireathletes, we will continue to offer what we always have, affordable --family-oriented sports and entertainment."
According to LMI figures, more than 14 million people have attendedabout 1,600 Arena events during the past 10 years. Most of those eventswere family shows, concerts and community events. Only a quarter of thoseevents were Heat games, and only an eighth were Panther games.
Franklin said the average attendance for all events during the pastdecade -- including Heat and Panther games -- has been about 8,500, farbelow the Arena's capacity. Most concert and family show promoters optfor smaller facilities due to lower overhead costs and because name entertainersdo not like to play to empty seats.
Since Miami Arena is modern and well-maintained, it will continue toattract top flight concerts appealing to all audiences. Miami Arena alsoenjoys long-term contracts with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & BaileyCircus, Walt Disney's World On Ice and excellent working relationshipswith all event producers.
Before Miami Arena was built, there was no major entertainment and sportsvenue in Miami. In fact, prior to July 1988, Miami was the only large cityin the country without a major-league indoor facility. A huge void existedin the South Florida entertainment scene, so much so that entertainer BillyJoel even threatened to never come back to Miami until it had a world-classfacility. Joel has since played 14 shows in Miami Arena, the most everby a single performer.
The process of constructing Miami Arena began in July 1983 when theMiami Sports and Exhibition Authority (MSEA) was created and the Dade CountyCommission designated a portion of the Convention Development Tax to fundthe project.
MSEA sold a portion of the $38 million in bonds to fund constructionand also brought to the table a private investment group, Decoma Venture,to develop, build and manage the facility. Leisure Managment International,the Arena manager, was part of the Decoma group. One of Decoma's rewardsfor investing in Miami Arena was a 32-year management contract.
The City of Miami dedicated Miami Arena in July 1988 with two goalsin mind -- to provide the community with a facility that could stage high-quality,diverse entertainment and possibly attract an NBA franchise. In October1986 construction began. Six months later the NBA awarded Miami an expansionfranchise.
Because its builders had the foresight to include refrigeration pipingin the Arena flooring, the facility was able to immediately create a high-gradeice surface for the Florida Panthers. Over the past 10 years, Miami Arenamanagement has undertaken constant renovations and improvements, whichhave attracted such sporting events as pre- and post-Olympic gymnastics, 
world-classtennis and volleyball, boxing, professional ice skating and more. To maintainthe Arena's viability, and as a cornerstone of its new affordable programming,LMI attracted a new hockey franchise, the Miami Matadors of the East CoastHockey League, which begins play this October.
Was Miami Arena a good investment for South Florida?
"If you consider the caliber and diversity of entertainment that wasattracted to South Florida, and the fact that two major league sports franchiseswere able to establish themselves in the community, then yes, it was avery good investment," said Jerry Bernfeld, who was involved in the originalplanning for Miami Arena through the Miami Sports and Exhibition Authority.
Because the community proved that it could support such ventures, Bernfeldsaid, other sports and related activities were attracted to South Florida,such as Major League Baseball, professional soccer, and now minor leaguehockey, as well as a myriad of other events.
MIAMI ARENA'S INVESTMENTIN THE COMMUNITY
The City of Miami and the South Florida community have realized significanteconomic and social benefits from Miami Arena.
The typical patron of the last 10 years, and there have been more than14 million of them, spent between $8 to $12 beyond his or her ticket price.That's an estimated $112 million to $168 million economic impact that affectsnot only Arena revenue, but also Metrorail, downtown retail sales, restaurantpatronage and more. And, of course, the profits and jobs generated by theArena itself had their own positive economic effect on the community.
To improve the patron's experience visiting Miami Arena, the facilityhas undergone constant improvements. For example, a program was implementedtwo years ago to improve signage and lighting in the Arena's neighborhood,as well as security. The City of Miami Police Department has attributedLeisure Management's and Miami Arena's community outreach as one reasonfor marked decrease in neighborhood crime. There have been no significantviolent criminal acts committed in the area directly surrounding MiamiArena during an event in the past nine years.
LMI also attributes its involvement with the community with the factthat the building has never experienced serious vandalism nor graffition the building's exterior.
Recently, Miami Arena's sponsored charity, Tickets to Paradise (TTP),which distributes tickets from South Florida venues to 100 South Floridacharities, surpassed the $1 million mark in ticket donations. The $1 millionmilestone represents about 50,000 tickets distributed to underprivilegedand at-risk-children, the disabled and the elderly since TTP's inceptionin 1991.
Tickets to Paradise, a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization, contributescomplimentary seating from a variety of South Florida events and venues,including Miami Arena concerts and family shows; Florida Panthers, FloridaMarlins and Miami Dolphins games; and events at the James L. Knight Center,Pro Player Stadium, Actor's Playhouse in Coral Gables, Coral Sky Amphitheatrein West Palm Beach and the student theater at Miami Dade Community College.
Several community projects also fall under the auspices of TTP, includingsuch annual events as the Tickets to Paradise Community Talent Showcaseand Celebration of Black Achievement program, each attended by about 5,000neighborhood students. Tickets to Paradise also sponsors the annual "Christmason Arena Boulevard" event for about 600 Overtown neighborhood childrenwho participate in state and federally funded programs aimed at guidingthem toward successful educational experiences.
Founded by LMI Senior Vice President Robert A. Franklin, TTP is directedby a broad-based group of community leaders and the LMI staff.
LMI and Miami Arena are also long-time, active participants in DadeCounty Schools Partners in Education program, providing ongoing incentivesto area students for improved grades, behavior and attendance.
MIAMIARENA HIGHLIGHTS 10 YEARS OF UNFORGETTABLE MOMENTS
Sincethe first day Miami Arena was built, it has hosted some of South Florida'smost memorable moments in sports, entertainment and community events. Whiledifferent audiences might remember only specific events or games, the Arenastaff has been there for every one of the more than 1,600 events, ensuringthat the patrons enjoy entertainment in the best possible environment.
cheap hotels in BremenAnd, if the staff has been to almost every event over the past 10 years,which ones do they consider the best? There is quite a list to choose.
Popular singers and entertainers have graced the stage at Miami Arena,but some shows were truly more exceptional than others, including:
thenrepeating the accomplishment in 1994
sinceit first opened its doors, and will continue to do so under a 10-year contractCONCESSION ITEMS SOLD 97/98 Season
Ranking Item % of Sales
1 Draft Beer 16.7
2 Sodas 13.1
3 Hot Dog 4.7
4 Pretzels 4.2
5 Popcorn 2.6
6 Nachos 2.3
7 Burgers 2.2
8 Ice Cream/Yogurt 1.7
9 Pizza 1.4
10 Peanuts 1.3
50.2 %
TOP 10 GROSSING EVENTS
1. Gloria Estefan & New World Symphony - 3/31/92
2. U2 - 3/14/92
3. Eagles - 2/27/95
4. Ultimate Event (Sinatra, Davis & Minelli) - 1/20/90
5. Miami Sound Machine - 3/7/91
6. Yanni - 12/10/97
7. Luis Miguel - 2/28/98
8. World Figure Skating - 6/2/94
9. Metallica - 4/19/97
10. Baryshnikov - 11/11/90
TOP 10 ATTENDED EVENTS
1. Dade County Teachers - 8/31/89
2. Frank Sinatra - 9/24/88
3. Billy Joel - 2/19/94
4. Bon Jovi - 9/23/89
5. New Kids on the Block - 2/20/90
6. Garth Brooks - 4/20/96
7. Elton John - 5/4/98
8. REM - 9/8/95
9. Plant & Page - 3/6/95
10. Miami Heat vs Chicago Bulls -1/7/98
TOP 10 HOME TEAM VICTORIES
1. 1996 Game 6 Semi-Finals Panthers vs. Pittsburgh
2. Panthers 1st win*
3. Univ. of FL def. Boston College in NCAA Eastern Conf. Regionals- 3/27/94
4. U.S. def. Russia in Women's Volleyball - 4/12/96
5. U.S. def. France in Men's Gymnastics - 4/6/96
6. U.M. 1st win*
7. Heat def. Bulls 1st Time*
8. Midnight Basketball 1992-1994
9. Miami High vs. Carol City H.S. - 1/89 (Who won?)
10. Olympic Torch Passing - 7/4/96
TOP 10 FASTEST SELL OUTS
1. Garth Brooks - 1996
2. U2 - 1992
3. Elton John - 1988
4. Neil Diamond - 1988
5. Billy Joel - 1990
6. Gloria Estefan - 1990
7. Frank Sinatra - 1988
8. Grateful Dead - 1988
9. Bette Midler - 1993
10. New Kids On The Block - 1990
TOP 10 TICKET PRICES
1. Gloria & New World Orchestra - $300
2. Pavarotti - $250
3. Miami Heat - $225
4. Florida Panthers - $130
5. Baryshnikov - $100
6. Placido Domingo & Paloma San Basilio -$100
7. Eagles - $78.50
8. The Artist - $76
9. Bette Midler - $75
10. Luis Miguel - $60
TOP CELEBRITY SIGHTINGS
1. Sylvester Sallone
2. Gloria Estefan
3. Jimmy Buffet
4. Sharon Stone
5. Madonna
6. Julio Iglesias
7. Michael Douglas
8. Spike Lee
9. Donald Trump
10. Rosie O' Donnell
TOP 10 SHOWS OPENING TOURS AT MIAMI ARENA
1. Luis Miguel - 1998
2. Tom Petty - 1995
3. Bette Midler - 1993
4. Depeche Mode - 1993
5. Mariah Carey - 1993
6. U2 - 1992
7. Janet Jackson - 1990
8. Ringling Bros. - 1988, 1989, 1990
9. Tom Petty - 1989
10. Elton John - 1988
TOP 10 SHOWS ENDING THEIR TOUR AT MIAMI ARENA
1. Florida Panthers !!! - 1998
2. Enrique Iglesias - 1997
3. Gloria Estefan - 1996
4. Billy Joel - 1994
5. Grateful Dead - 1994
6. Bon Jovi - 1993
7. Gloria Estefan - 1992
8. Don Henley - 1991
9. Neil Daimond - 1988
10. Gloria Estefan - 1988
TOP 10 MOST FREQUENT EVENTS AT MIAMI ARENA
1. Ringling Bros. And Barnum & Bailey Circus - 201
2. Walt Disney's World on Ice - 130
3. World Wrestling Federation - 35
4. Billy Joel - 14
5. Gloria Estefan - 11
6. Champions on Ice - 9
7. Harlem Globetrotters - 8
8. FIU Commencement - 8
9. Budweiser Superfest - 8
10. (Tie) Stars on Ice - 7, Neil Diamond - 7, Rod Stewart - 7,
Church of Christ Services - 7